Coffee

As a cooking and baking ingredient, coffee adds a pleasant bitter note and depth to sauces, stews, cakes, custards, and even meat dishes. One of the best-known recipes that uses coffee as a flavoring is redeye gravy. To try it, check out this recipe for Sautéed Shrimp on Parmesan Grits with Redeye Gravy.

Keep these things in mind when cooking or baking with coffee:

Coffee retains its caffeine even when you cook or bake with it, so consider using decaf if you want to avoid caffeine.

For the best flavor in recipes that call for ground coffee, grind fresh beans just before using.

Instant espresso powder has a bolder flavor than regular instant coffee, and is a convenient substitute for espresso or brewed coffee.